Courts to allow cameras for National Adoption Day

Selected courts around Indiana have been granted permission through an order of the Indiana Supreme Court to allow cameras to record and broadcast events in observation of National Adoption Day.

The annual event is Nov. 23. Leading up to that day, several courts have planned events in which cameras are authorized. Here is the schedule and location of participating judges:

Friday, Nov. 15, 1 p.m.: Henry Circuit Judge Mary Willis, 1215 Race St., Room 340, New Castle.

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m.: Tippecanoe Superior Magistrate Sean Persin, 301 E. Main Street, Third Floor, Lafayette.

Thursday, Nov. 21, 8:30 a.m.: Allen Superior Judge Charles Pratt, 715 S. Calhoun Street, Room 208, Fort Wayne
 
Thursday, Nov. 21, 8:30 a.m. (CST): Vanderburgh Superior Judge Brett Niemeier, 1 N.W. Martin Luther King Blvd., Room 129, Evansville.

Friday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m.: Grant Superior Judge Dana Kenworthy, 101. E. 4th St., Suite 310, Marion.

Friday, Nov. 22, 1 p.m.: Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall, 53 E. Washington St., Knox.   

The Indiana Supreme Court and Court of Appeals webcast their arguments, but Indiana trial courts do not allow cameras to record proceedings. The justices permitted cameras in select trial courts during an 18-month pilot project that concluded at the end of 2007, but didn’t take any action on the matter after a report was submitted in 2008 to them. Just six proceedings were recording in eight courts statewide.

But pilot projects have been launched recently that, while not allowing news cameras in, will film proceedings.

Last year, the justices announced that proceedings will be recorded in three courts – one each in Allen, Marion and Tippecanoe counties – and will serve as the official transcript. The Indiana Supreme Court also instituted a pilot program in Lake County that allows for recording of certain proceedings, which are later posted on the Times of Northwest Indiana’s website for viewing.